Combination handbag and basket



Feb. 4, 1969 A. WUEST 3,425,470

COMBINATION HANDBAG AND BASKET Filed Sept. 11, 1967 14 ApoLPH WUEST ATTORNEY United States Patent 4 Claims Int. Cl. A45c 7/00, 3/06 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination handbag and basket comprising a collapsible receptacle formed of suitable material and capable of assuming several forms with the sidewalls and bottom formed to 'fold at three spaced points, i.e. at a central point and at two laterally spaced points, whereby the body can be totally collapsed into the form of a handbag or partially expanded at its outer wing portions to a relatively large handbag or with the end portions fully opened to provide a smaller receptacle of basket form, or the three sections can be extended to provide a relatively larger basket, the handle in each instance suspending the structure from the medial sidewall portions and a Strap and cover extension adapted for securing and covering the parts in any of the desired shapes and smaller sizes.

The object of the invention is to provide a collapsible structure which can be readily converted from the size of a handbag to a basket or carrier form of different dimensions in accordance with requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible carrier which is constructed for convenient folding so that its bottom can be expanded or totally collapsed in accordance with requirements.

Another object is to provide a novel form of supporting structure.

Another object is to provide a closure means in the nature of a strap having novel means for retaining the strap against displacement.

These and further objects of the invention will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the instant specification and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention when totally collapsed to form a relatively small handbag;

FIG. 2 is a similar vie-w showing the wings of the structure slightly expanded to provide a relatively small handbag with a relatively wide bottom portion for increasing the capacity of the structure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structure with the closure flap open and with the outer folds expanded to provide a basket-like structure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device completely expanded to provide maximum capacity in the form of a basket;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the locking knuckle; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the disclosure of FIG. 5.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the invention embodies a rectangular receptacle comprising a bottom 1, end walls 2, sidewalls 3, a supporting handle 4 and a securing strap 5. The bottom 1, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises three sections each capable of being folded upwardly upon itself at a medial line as indicated at 7, 8 and 9, the medial section comprising wall portions 10 and 11 being of greater width than the end sections, and all three sections being formed of relatively stiff material to provide an appropriate base when the structure is opened into basket form.

The sidewalls 3 are correspondingly provided with weakened vertical fold lines 12 which terminate at points spaced from the bottom 1 and connect with diverging weakened wall fold line portions 14 so that these walls can be col- 3,425,470 Patented Feb. 4, 1969 lapsed inwardly with the movement of the upward sections on their folding lines 7, 8 and 9'.

In FIG. 1 all of the sections of the structure are shown in total collapsed form so that the collapse of the structure is at its maximum to provide a receptacle in the nature of a handbag such as is used by women in carrying personal effects and the like. In this form of the invention the flap 15, which projects from one of the end walls 2, is folded over the collapsed structure and may be secured in place by the strap 5 which cooperates with the conventional lops 16. Other similar loops are formed on the outer wall to retain the strap.

In FIG. 2 the invention is shown with the two outer sections partially folded at A and B and the center bottom section in upward folded form, thus providing a handbag with a relatively wide base and a restricted upper end portion.

In FIG. 3 the end sections are expanded to their maximum dimensions and the sidewalls are spread to form a rectangular receptacle with vertical sidewalls. In this form of the invention the device is in the nature of a basket and can be used for carrying and supporting relatively large commodities for general shopping.

In FIG. 4 all three sections are fully expanded, giving a relatively large central area and two end areas with the sidewalls fully expanded to flattened form. In this form the maximum capacity of the basket is provided.

In .all of the forms of the invention the same handle structure 4 is present and includes a tubular hand hold 17 housing a pair of wire wickets 18 at their base, the wickets lying generally parallel at the horizontal hand hold portion and the arms of the wickets diverge along and through the walls of the central sections of the side panels, as shown at 19. The arms of the wickets 18 terminate at the junctions of; the adjacent sidewall sections as indicated at 20 and due to the structure and arrangement of the handle and wickets comprising portions of the handle assembly, the lifting forces are distributed to spaced points in each of the side wall assemblies. Also, the center section can be folded without interference.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the flap 15 which may be used when the device is in handbag shape, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, is illustrated as of a length substantially equal to the height of the end walls of the assembly, whereby in the form of the invention in FIGS. 3 and 4, which are the forms directed to the basket structure, the flap 15 lies adjacent the end wall by being folded along a fold line adjacent the end wall to which it is attached, as indicated at 21.

The strap 5, which is used on the handbag form to close the flap 15 and to secure it in position, extends through a pair of loops 16. One of the loops 16 is on the flap 15 and the other is on the outer face of an end wall 2 and aligned with the first loop. The strap 5 is of such a dimension at its terminal portion to which the loop 16 is attached, that it will not be displaced or lost but will be retained by the loop 16, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in which positions the rings 25a are secured to the strap terminal 25 by having the strap therearound, as indicated, and thereby providing an enlargement which cannot pass through the loop 16.

Elastic bands 30 may be used at folded areas of the sidewalls, the bands extending through spaced perforations 31 and inherently urging the collapse of the walls at the fold lines.

What is claimed is:

1. In a combination handbag and basket comprising a receptacle including a bottom, end walls and sidewalls, said bottom comprising a relatively wide intermediate section and two end sections connected by fold lines to said intermediate section, said sidewalls each including three sections defined by vertical medial fold lines terminating above its bottom section and radial fold lines extending from the bottom of the medial fold lines to the bottom outer end portions of the sections, said end walls connecting the said sidewalls, and a supporting structure comprising a tubular handle enclosing the base of a pair of wire wickets with the arms of the wickets extending downwardly through the center section of each of the sidewalls at each side of its center fold line and diverging downwardly to points adjacent the fold line defining the adjacent end sections, whereby the bottom sections and sidewall sections may be collapsed towards the center of said receptacle to form a handbag in which the arms of the wickets forming the handle are substantially parallel and the end walls converge upwardly and inwardly, and means for securing the device in collapsed form.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the device in collapsed form includes a strap held by loops fixed to said receptacle and said strap includes an enlarged end portion for holding strap fastener rings, the enlarged end portion being of a diameter greater than the passageway through the loops whereby the strap is held against displacement in one direction.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein one of said end walls of the receptacle is provided with a hinged flap having a length approximating the length of an end wall and adapted to lie thereagainst when the receptacle is in expanded form and adapted to overlie and form a closure for the receptacle when the same is collapsed into handbag form.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the upper portions of said sidewalls are formed with spaced openings for receiving resilient bands which overlie folds of the sections to urge them towards collapsed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,172 6/1909 Merzback ISO-1.7 1,137,047 4/1915 Bushwick 190-43 1,143,171 6/1915 Bushwick 19043 1,381,226 6/1921 Pichel 150-1.7

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

